Cement head with movable plug cage and pressure balanced plug launch indicator

ABSTRACT

A cement head is disclosed that includes a cement head body that houses a moveable cage which protects a cement plug until the cement plug is released into a cement flow path. The cage is moveable between a first position in which cement slurry flows around the cage, and a second position in which cement slurry flows through the cage to facilitate launch of the cement plug into a wellbore. The cage may include a lifting device to assist with moving the cage from the second position to the first position after launch of the cement plug. The cement head may be a modular design that includes multiple cement head bodies, and may also include a pressure balanced plug launch indicator and torque keys.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings are part of the present disclosure and are incorporated into the specification. The drawings illustrate examples of embodiments of the disclosure and, in conjunction with the description and claims, serve to explain various principles, features, or aspects of the disclosure. Certain embodiments of the disclosure are described more fully below with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, various aspects of the disclosure may be implemented in many different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the implementations set forth herein. Like numbers refer to like elements, but are not necessarily the same or identical elements throughout.

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a cement head in accordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosure.

FIG. 2 shows a section view of a cement head in accordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosure.

FIGS. 3A and 3B show perspective views of a cage in accordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosure.

FIG. 4 shows a perspective section view of a cement head in accordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosure.

FIG. 5 shows a perspective section view of a cement head in accordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosure.

FIG. 6 shows a detail view of a cement head and a pressure balanced plug launch indicator in accordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosure.

FIG. 7 shows a section view of a cement head in accordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosure with a cement plug installed therein.

FIG. 8 shows a section view of a cement head in accordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosure and a cement slurry flow pattern through the cement head when a cage is in a first position.

FIG. 9 shows a section view of a cement head in accordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosure when the cement plug is released.

FIG. 10 shows a section view of a cement head in accordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosure and a flow pattern of cement slurry through the cement head when a cage is in a second position.

FIGS. 11A and 11B show a detail view of a cement head and a pressure balanced plug launch indicator in accordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosure.

FIG. 12 shows a perspective view of a cement head in accordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosure.

FIG. 13 shows a section view of a cement head in accordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosure.

FIG. 14 shows a detail section view of a plug release mechanism of FIG. 13 in accordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosure.

FIG. 15 shows a section view of the cement head of FIG. 13 along line A-A.

FIG. 16 shows a section view of the cement head of FIG. 13 along line B-B.

FIG. 17 shows a section view of a canister adapter and cement plug in accordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosure.

FIG. 18 shows a perspective view of a cement head in accordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosure.

FIG. 19 shows a perspective view of a cement head and a ported cap in accordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosure.

FIG. 20 shows a perspective section view of a cement head in accordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosure.

FIG. 21 shows a perspective section view of a cement head in accordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosure.

FIG. 22 shows a section view of a cement head in accordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosure.

FIG. 23 shows a section view of a cement head in accordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosure.

FIG. 24 shows a section view of a cement head in accordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosure.

FIG. 25 shows a section view of a cement head in accordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosure.

FIG. 26 shows a section view of a cement head in accordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosure.

FIG. 27 shows a section view of a cement head in accordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosure.

FIG. 28 shows a perspective section view of a cement head in accordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosure.

FIG. 29 shows a perspective view of a cement head and a cage handle in accordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosure.

FIGS. 30A and 30B show side views of a single cement head and a multi-plug cement head in accordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosure.

FIGS. 31A and 31B show section views of a single cement head and a multi-plug cement head in accordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosure.

FIG. 32 shows a detail view of a cement head and torque key in accordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosure.

FIG. 33 shows a detail view of a cement head in accordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosure.

FIGS. 34A, 34B, and 34C show section views of a cement head and torque key in accordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosure.

FIG. 35 shows a section view of a cement head in accordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosure.

FIG. 36 shows a section view of a cement head in accordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosure.

FIG. 37 shows a section view of a cement head in accordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosure.

FIG. 38 shows a section view of a cement head in accordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosure.

FIG. 39 shows a rotated section view of a cement head in accordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosure.

FIG. 40 shows a section view of a cement head in accordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

This disclosure generally relates to an improved cement head for launching cementing plugs and/or wiping devices for well cementing operations.

In oil well cementing operations, cementing plugs are placed at the beginning and/or end of a predetermined amount of cement slurry being pumped into a wellbore. Prior to placement, the cementing plugs are housed in a cement head that may include a stationary cage or container for protecting the plug prior to release. Some conventional cement heads may include double or triple chambers for receiving multiple plugs within a single cement head body. Conventional cement heads may also require many additional components, such as manifolds to control the flow of cement through the cement head and biasing mechanisms to introduce the cementing plugs into the cement slurry flow path. Biasing mechanisms for introducing a cement plug, however, are susceptible to malfunction due to blockage by build-up of the cement slurry in the cement head and/or corrosive failure in harsh environments.

Conventional cement heads may also include tattle tales to indicate that the cement plug has been launched from the cement head. Tattle tale assemblies may include both internal components that are located within the cement head body and external components which are located outside the cement head body. Tattle tale assemblies may be exposed to high pressures within the cement head body. Because of the pressure differential experienced across the tattle tale assembly, conventional tattle tale assemblies are susceptible to malfunction or failure.

Embodiments of the cement head of the present disclosure are configured to overcome the above issues and may include a moveable internal cage for introducing the cementing plug into a wellbore. The cement head of the present disclosure may also be equipped with a pressure balanced plug launch indicator including a tattle tale assembly that may be less susceptible to malfunction in environments where a pressure differential is present across the cement head.

In accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure, a cement head cap may be attached to one end of the cement head. Cement slurry may enter through an opening in the cap and may be channeled around the moveable internal cage by an internal lid. In some exemplary embodiments, the opening in the cap may include lateral ports that are configured to introduce cement slurry from a lateral side of the cement head. A flow path of the cement slurry may be diverted and/or redirected by the moveable internal cage which is located within the cement head body and which is moveable between at least two positions. The movable cage may house at least one cement plug installed therein and may be held in a first position in close proximity to the cap and/or lid, at least in part, by a plug release mechanism. In the first position, the cement slurry is channeled around the cage along an initial operating flow path such that the cage protects the cement plug from unnecessary contact with the cement slurry. A top end of the cage may be include an expanded or flanged offset portion, for example. The offset portion may redirect the cement slurry from the initial operating flow path located around the cage, to a launching flow path that goes through the cage to launch the cement plug.

The plug release mechanism may include, as a non-limiting example, a flapper that is located at a lower end of the cage and extends transversely across a bottom of the cage to hold the cage in the first position. When the flapper is released, the flapper is allowed to swing/pivot in a downward direction and the cage is allowed to move to a second position away from the cap and/or lid. When the cage is in the second plug release position and the cement slurry has been redirected through the cage, the cement slurry flows at least partially along an upper surface of the cement plug to create a force to move the cement plug out of the cement head body and into the wellbore.

Release of the cement plug from the cage actuates the pressure balanced plug launch indicator which includes multiple sealing systems and is configured to prevent malfunction in environments with differential pressures that act on the components of the plug launch indicator. After release of the cement plug, in some embodiments a lifting device, such as a lever or handle, may be operated to move the cage from the second position back to the first position to prepare the cement head for receipt of another cement plug. In other embodiments, the cage may include a return mechanism, such as a spring assembly, that automatically returns the cage to the first position. The disclosure, however, is not intended to be limited by these exemplary embodiments and other configurations for how the cage is moved from the second position back to the first position are contemplated. As non-limiting examples, other configurations may include push button assemblies, mechanisms that automatically return the cage upon release of the cement plug, etc.

Main components of the cement head, such as the cement head body, cap, and adapter, may be rotationally locked with respect to each other by, for example, a key. The key may allow the cement head to be used on top drive applications where rotation of the work string is desired. The cement head main components may also include breech lock buttress profile connections for high capacity hook strength applications.

In applications that require multiple plugs and/or wiping devices to be launched into the well casing, the cement head in accordance with the disclosure may be configured to include modular components that permit stacking of the cement head components. This arrangement allows multiple plugs to be arranged for sequential release using multiple modular-type cement heads, and eliminates the need to stock various types and/or configurations of cement heads.

Although this disclosure describes a cement head that may be used in wellbore cementing applications, the present invention is not intended to be limited to the disclosed apparatuses or environments and modifications are considered to be within the scope of this disclosure. For example, the disclosed cement head may be implemented in any environment that may require plugging operations.

FIG. 1 illustrates an example embodiment of a cement head 100 in accordance with the present disclosure that includes a cement head housing or body 1, a cap 6 connected to an end of the cement head body 1, and a casing adapter 9 connected to another end of the cement head body 1. The casing adapter 9 couples the cement head body 1 to downstream piping or components (not shown). The cement head 100 also includes a plug launch indicator 10 for providing a visual indication that a cement plug 101 has been released into a wellbore as described in more detail below.

FIG. 2 illustrates a transverse section view of the cement head 100 in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The cap 6 includes an opening 6A that allows cement slurry 200 (shown in FIG. 8) to be introduced into the cement head 100. A lid 7 is secured to the cap 6 using screws 3 (shown in FIG. 4) and includes lateral lid ports 71 that divert the cement slurry 200 entering the cap 6. The cement head body 1 houses a cage 11 that is configured to receive the cement plug 101 (shown in FIG. 7). Stand-off or spacer 72 is located on the lid 7 and is arranged to prevent the cement plug 101 from sticking to the lid 7 during launch. The stand-off 72 includes vertical slots that allow cement to flow into a gap 73 between a body of the lid 7 and the cement plug 101 when the cement plug 101 is placed within the cage 11 and ready to be released.

FIGS. 3A and 3B show detailed perspective views of the cage 11 in accordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosure. As illustrated, the cage 11 includes a top end 11A with an expanded or flanged offset portion, lugs 11B, and a cylindrical internal portion 11C. The top end 11A is slightly smaller than an inner diameter of the cement head body 1 to allow the cage 11 to slide within the cement head body 1. The lugs 11B center the cage 11 inside the cement head body 1, and the cylindrical internal portion 11C provides a space for receiving the cement plug 101. The cage 11 also includes a flapper 11D that is located within openings 11E on a lower end of the cage 11 and is installed on the cage 11 using pivot pin 11G (FIG. 4). The flapper 11D holds the cement plug 101 within the cage 11 and is movable and/or pivotable around the pivot pin 11G.

As shown in FIG. 4, the cement head 100 includes pins 8 that are inserted through an opening in a wall of the cement head body 1 and into slots 11F of the cage 11. Pins 8 limit sliding movement of the cage 11 with respect to the cement head body 1 in an up/down direction. O-rings or sealing elements 8A and back-up rings 8B may be provided around a shaft of the pin 8 for sealing and positioning the pin 8 within the wall of the cement head body 1, as shown in FIG. 7. FIG. 5 illustrates that a plug launching mechanism 15 is also provided on the cement head body 1 and includes a release pin 17 that holds the flapper 11D in place to position the cage 11 in a first position with respect to the cement head body 1. The plug launching mechanism 15 may be actuated manually, electrically, pneumatically, hydraulically, or by any other means appropriate for the intended application.

FIG. 6 shows a detail view of the pressure balanced plug launch indicator 10 of the cement head 100 in accordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosure. The plug launch indicator 10 includes a pressure balanced tattle tale body 12 that is inserted through the cement head body 1, and caps 13 may be secured to ends of the tattle tale body 12 with, for example, set screws to prevent removal of the tattle tale body 12 from the cement head body 1. The tattle tale body 12 includes symmetrically disposed o-rings 12A and back up rings 12B at opposite ends of the tattle tale body 12. Using multiple o-rings 12A that are the same size at both ends of the tattle tale body 12 ensures that differential pressures experienced across the cement head body 1 do not inhibit operation of the plug launch indicator 10. For example, internal pressures within the cement head body 1 will act evenly on the o-rings 12A at each end of the tattle tale body 12 to pressure balance the forces experienced by the tattle tale body 12 and, thus, uniformly distribute the force/pressure.

A tattle tale indicator 14A and a tattle tale actuator 14B may be arranged on the tattle tale body 12 to notify an operator when the cement plug 101 has been launched. The tattle tale actuator 14B may be installed on a central region of the tattle tale body 12 in a launch path of the cement plug 101, and the tattle tale indicator 14A may be installed at one or both ends of the tattle tale body 12.

FIG. 7 shows a section view of the cement head 100 in accordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosure with the cement plug 101 installed within the cage 11. In the initial pre-launch position, as shown in FIG. 7, the cement plug 101 may be in contact with stand-off 72 and the gap 73 is between a main body of the lid 7 and the cement plug 101. The release pin 17 is in an extended position such that an end of the release pin 17 is located inside a bore 1B of the cement head body 1.

The pivot pin 11G (FIG. 5) pivotably connects the flapper 11D to the cage 11 and is located on a lateral side of the cage 11 that is opposite the release pin 17 of the plug launching mechanism 15 such that one end of the flapper 11D is connected to the cage 11 by the pivot pin 11G. An opposite end of the flapper 11D is supported by the release pin 17. When the cage 11 is in the pre-launch position, the flapper 11D extends across the lower portion of the cage 11 and is held in place by the release pin 17 to prevent the cement plug 101 from moving downward. The release pin 17 is configured to support the cement plug 101 and hold the cage 11 in a first position in close proximity to the lid 7 until the cement plug 101 is launched.

FIG. 8 shows a section view of the cement head 100 in accordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosure and illustrates the cement slurry flow path 200 when the cage 11 is in the first position. In the first position, the cage 11 is held by the release pin 17 and the flapper 11D in an upward position in close proximity to the lid 7. The cement slurry 200 is pumped through the opening 6A in the cap 6 and diverted by the lid 7 through the lid ports 71 and into a space 201 between the lid 7 and the cap 6. The cement slurry 200 then flows into a space 202 between the cage 11 and the cap 6, and a space 203 between the cage 11 and the cement head body 1. The cement slurry 200 continues through a bore 9A of the casing adapter 9 and exits the cement head 100. The cement slurry 200 flows around the cage 11 in the first position and the cage 11 protects the cement plug 101 from unnecessary contact with the cement slurry 200.

FIG. 9 shows a section view of the cement head 100 in accordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosure when the cement plug 101 has been released or launched. When it is determined that the cement plug is to be released, the release pin 17 is retracted from the bore 1B of the cement head body 1 and the flapper 11D swings or rotates downwards. The cage 11 is permitted to move in a downstream direction and, due to gravity and/or the cement flow, slides along the pins 8 to the second position where the pins 8 contact an upper surface of respective slots 11F. The flow path of the cement slurry 200 is redirected through the cage (as described below), and pushes the cement plug 101 from the cage 11. The cement plug 101 contacts the tattle tale actuator 14B, which triggers the plug launch indicator 10.

FIG. 10 shows a flow pattern of the cement slurry 200 when the cage 11 is in a second position. As shown, the release pin 17 has been retracted and the flapper 11D is in a plug release position. The cement slurry 200 pumped into the cap 6 is diverted through the lid ports 71 into the space 201 between the lid 7 and the cap 6. Because there is minimal clearance between the offset of the top end 11A of the cage 11 and the cement head body 1 when the cage 11 slides downward to the second position, the top end 11A of the cage 11 restricts the flow path of the cement slurry 200 around the cage 11 and redirects the cement slurry 200 through the central internal portion 11C of the cage 11. The cement slurry 200 is redirected by the top end 11A of the cage 11 through a space 204 between the cage 11 and the lid 7, and through the internal portion 11C of the cage 11.

The redirected cement slurry 200 flows through the space 204 and into the gap 73 between the lid 7 and the cement plug 101, and pushes the cement plug 101 downstream and out of the cage 11. As shown in FIG. 9, at least an end the tattle tale actuator 14B is located in the launch path of the cement plug 101. As the cement plug 101 exits the cage 11, the cement plug 101 contacts the tattle tale actuator 14B and causes the tattle tale actuator 14B to rotate with respect to the cement head body 1. The cement plug 101 travels through bores 1B and 9A, exits the cement head 100, and enters the downstream work string.

In accordance with embodiments of the disclosure and as described above, the flow path of the cement slurry 200 entering the cement head 100 is directed around the cage 11 when the cage 11 is in a first position (FIG. 8), and is redirected through an internal portion 11C of the cage 11 when the cage 11 is in a second position (FIG. 10).

FIGS. 11A and 11B show a detail view of the cement head 100 and the pressure balanced plug launch indicator 10 in accordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosure. FIG. 11A shows the tattle tale indicator 14A in the plug pre-launch position prior to launch of the cement plug 101. In the pre-launch position, the tattle tale indicator 14A may be located within a recess or groove 1A in an outer surface of the cement head 100. FIG. 11B shows the tattle tale indicator 14A in the plug launch indicated position after the cement plug 101 has been released or launched from the cage 11 and into the wellbore. In the launch indicted position, the tattle tale indicator 14A is rotated out of the groove 1A to provide a clear, visual indication to an operator that the cement plug 101 has been launched.

When the cement plug 101 is launched, the cement plug 101 contacts and rotates the tattle tale actuator 14B located in the bore 1A of the cement head body 1. Rotation of the tattle tale actuator 14B by the cement plug 101 rotates the tattle tale body 12 around its longitudinal axis, which moves the tattle tale indicator 14A from the initial pre-launch position (FIG. 11A) within the groove 1A in the cement head body 1 to the launch indicted position (FIG. 11B). Because the plug launch indicator 10 is pressure balanced, rotation of the tattle tale body 12 is not inhibited by pressure differentials experienced by and across the cement head 100.

FIG. 12 shows a perspective view of the cement head 100 in accordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosure. FIG. 13 shows a longitudinal section view of the cement head in accordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosure. FIG. 14 shows a detail section view of a plug release mechanism of FIG. 13 in accordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosure.

As shown in FIGS. 12 to 14, the plug launching mechanism 15 may include a pin puller housing 15A that is connected to the cement head body 1 and that is positioned with respect to the cement head body 1 by a jam nut 16. The pin puller housing 15A, which houses the release pin 17, may include o-rings 28 and back-up rings 29 to seal between the pin puller housing 15A and the cement head body 1. The plug launch mechanism 15 may also include a pin puller knob 24 with pins 25, a spring pin 26, and a spring 27 that hold the pin puller knob 24 in a position where a lock pin 23 is engaged with slots in a pin puller crown 21 to prevent rotation of a bonnet 22. The pin puller crown 21 is disposed on and secured to the pin puller housing 15A by set screws 30. Disk 31 and cap screws 18 rotationally secure the bonnet 22 to a nut 19 that is located within the pin puller housing 15A and that may rotate with respect to the pin puller housing 15A with the aid of a thrust bearing 20.

In a non-limiting example in accordance with embodiments of the disclosure, when the release pin 17 is to be actuated, the pin puller knob 24 may be moved in an axial direction of the plug launch mechanism 15 to release the lock pin 23 from slots in the pin puller crown 21. The pin puller knob 24 may then be rotated and released to fix the lock pin 23 in a disengaged position which allows the bonnet 22 and the nut 19 to be rotated. The bonnet 22 may be operated by, for example, two right hand turns applied to the bonnet 22. This rotation causes the release pin 17 to be rotated into the nut 19 and, thus, retracted from the bore 1A of the cement head body 1. In other embodiments, the release pin 17 may be actuated by other suitable mechanical, electrical, or pneumatic device such as, for example, a push button release mechanism.

The cement head body 1, the cap 6, and the casing adapter 9 may be rotationally locked with respect to each other by keys 40 which are secured in place by screws 41, as shown in FIG. 12. This rotational locking permits torque to be transmitted through the cement head 100 and allows rotation of the work string in top drive applications. The cement head body 1, the cap 6, and/or the casing adapter 9 may also include hoist rings 42 to facilitate lifting and/or lowering of the cement head 100.

FIG. 15 shows a section view of the cement head of FIG. 13 along line A-A, and FIG. 16 shows a section view of the cement head of FIG. 13 along line B-B. Details of the plug launch indicator 10, including the tattle tale body 12, caps 13, o-rings 12A, and back up rings 12B, as described above, are shown in FIGS. 15 and 16.

FIG. 17 shows an embodiment of the cement head 100 in accordance with the disclosure which includes a canister adapter 102 that converts the cage 11 to be used with a differently sized cement plug 101A. By utilizing the canister adapter 102, the cement head 100 can be used to launch cement plugs of various sizes which reduces required inventory.

FIG. 18 shows a perspective view of a cement head in accordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosure. In an exemplary embodiment, the cement head 100 may include an upper cap 61 with a drill pipe box thread at an upper end for heavy duty applications. A box and pin handling joint 62 may also be attached to the upper cap 61 via the drill pipe box thread to adapt the cement head 100 for handling and/or suspension by a rig elevator (not shown).

FIG. 19 shows a perspective view of a cement head 150 in accordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosure. Features of the exemplary embodiments described below that are like or similar to the features of the exemplary cement head embodiments described above will not be repeated herein. The cement head 150 may include a ported cap 65 which has one or more ports 66 that extend in a lateral direction for introduction of cement into a cement head body 151. In an exemplary embodiment, the ported cap 65 may include the two ports 66 shown in FIG. 19. However, this example is not intended to be limiting and any number or configuration of ports that are suited for the intended application may be used. The ported cap 65, the cement head body 151, and/or the casing adapter 109 may include torque keys or blocks 140, described below, which lock relative rotation between the ported cap 65, the cement head body 151, and/or the casing adapter 109.

FIGS. 20 and 21 show perspective section views of the cement head 150 in accordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosure. The cement head 150 does not require the lid 7 and may include a cage 111 that is configured for use with the ported cap 65. As shown more clearly in FIG. 21, the cage 111 may include a cage handle or lever 111A which is described below.

FIGS. 22 and 23 show section views of the cement head 150 in accordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosure. FIGS. 24 to 27 show section views of the cement head 150 with the ported cap 65 removed. The cage handle 111A may be attached to the cage 111 by a pivot pin 111H such that the cage handle 111A is pivotable with respect to a body of the cage 111 to move the cage 111 from the second/released position (FIG. 24) to the first/running position (FIG. 23), without removing the cage 111 from the cement head body 151.

During operation, the cage 111 is initially located in the running position shown in FIG. 23 with the flapper 111D fixed or held in a lateral position by the plug launching mechanism 15. Cement enters the cement head 150 through ports 66 in the ported cap 65, flows around the cage 111, and flows through the cement head body 151. When the cement plug 101 is to be launched or released, the plug launching mechanism 15 is actuated, for example, by an operator, which causes the release pin 17 to retract. The flapper 111D is then allowed to pivot to a released position, as shown in FIG. 24.

When the release pin 17 is retracted, the cage 111 slides downward along pins 108 to the position shown in FIG. 24. In this position, the cage 111 blocks a channel between the cage 111 and the cement head body 151, and redirects cement from a flow path around the cage 111 to a flow path through an opening in the handle 111A and the top of the cage 111. Cement then flows through the cage 111 and pushes the cement plug 101 (not shown) out of the cage 111 and through the cement head body 151. Passage of the cement plug 101 through the cement head body 151 causes the tattle tale actuator 14B and the tattle tale indicator 14A to rotate as described above with respect to cement head 100, which provides a visual indication to an operator that the cement plug 101 has been released.

To reposition the cage 111 after releasing the cement plug 101, the ported cap 65 is removed from the cement head body 151, and the handle 111A is rotated upward as shown in FIG. 25. A portion of the handle 111A may contact the cement head body 151 to push or lift the cage 111 in an upward direction with respect to the cement head body 151. Continued rotation of the cage handle 111A moves the cage 111 from the released position (FIG. 24) to the running position (FIG. 27). Once the cage 111 is repositioned to the running position, the release pin 17 may be extended to engage and rotate the flapper 111D to a lateral position which fixes or holds the cage 111 in the running position (FIG. 27). The cage 111 is then ready to receive another cement plug 101, and the ported cap 65 may be reattached to the cement head body 151 for operation.

The cage handle 111A allows “recocking” or repositioning of the cage 111 without removing the cage 111 from the cement head body 151. In an exemplary embodiment, a three-quarter or 270 degree turn of the cage handle 111A repositions the cage 111 to an initial running position. However, this embodiment is not intend to limit the disclosure, and it is within the scope of this disclosure that any type of “handle,” “lever,” or device that can lift, move, or reposition the cage 111 in the running position without removal of the cage 111 from the cement head body 151 may be used.

FIGS. 28 and 29 respectively show a perspective section view and a perspective view of the cement head 150 in accordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosure. In FIGS. 28 and 29, the ported cap 65 has been removed and the cage handle 111A is in an actuated position such that the cage 111 has been recocked or repositioned to the running position, and is ready to receive a cement plug 101.

FIGS. 30A and 30B show side views of the cement heads 150 and 150′ in accordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosure. FIGS. 31A and 31B show section views of the cement heads 150 and 150′ in accordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosure. In FIGS. 30A and 31A, the cement head 150 includes a single cement head body 151 as described above with respect to FIGS. 19 to 29. In applications where multiple plugs are required, the cement head 150 could be configured as a multi-plug cement head 150′.

As shown in FIGS. 30B and 31B, the cement head body 151, 151′ may be a modular design such that the multi-plug cement head 150′ could include two or more of the cement head body 151, 151′. Although two cement head bodies 151, 151′ are shown in the exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 30B and 31B, the modular design of the cement head body 151, 151′ permits stacking of any number of cement head bodies. The additional, downstream cement head body 151′ may include the same or similar components as described above with respect to the cement head body 151 or may include a different cement head body and components (not shown) that are compatible for use with the multi-plug cement head body 150′. For example, the cement head body 151′ may include the cage 111′ having the cage handle 111A′, which functions in a manner similar to or the same as the cage 111, or may include a differently arranged cage (not shown). It is also within the scope of the disclosure that compatible components of the cement head 100 may be configured for use in the modular design of cement head 150′. For example, the cement head body 151 may be used in combination with a modular design of the cement head body 1, and other compatible combinations are also contemplated by the disclosure.

In the exemplary arrangement shown in FIGS. 30B and 31B, the multi-plug cement head 150′ may include the cement head body 151 and the cement head body 151′ which may be connected to a downstream end of the cement head body 151. The cement head body 151 and the cement head body 151′ may be arranged in series and directly fastened to each other by, for example, a stabbed, threaded, or other mechanical connection. However, it is also contemplated that additional components of the multi-plug cement head 150′ could be interposed between the cement head body 151 and the cement head body 151′. In the arrangement shown in FIGS. 30B and 31B, the multi-plug cement head 150′ may be configured to launch two or more cement plugs 101, 101′.

In operation, cement is pumped into the ports 66 of the ported cap 65 as described above with respect to cement head 150. Cement initially flows around both the cage 111 and the cage 111′. When the downstream cement plug 101′ is to be launched, downstream plug launching mechanism 15′ is actuated and the downstream cage 111′ is allowed to move downward. Cement then flows through the downstream cage 111′, causing the downstream cement plug 101′ to be launched, while the upstream cement plug 101 remains in the initial operating/running position. The upstream cement plug 101 may be launched thereafter, as described above.

FIGS. 32 and 33 show detail views of the cement head 150 and the torque key or block 140 in accordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosure. In FIG. 32, the torque key 140 is shown on the ported cap 65 and in a locked position with the cement head body 151. The torque key 140 may be located on the ported cap 65, the cement head body 151, and/or the casing adapter 109 to lock relative rotation between the components, and any number of torque keys 140 may be provided as required by the application. Rotational locking of the components of the cement head 150 permits torque to be transmitted through the cement head 150 during rotation of the work string.

The torque key 140 is slidable in an axial direction of the cement head 150 within a slot 67 that may be machined into an outer surface of the ported cap 65. The torque key 140 may slide along a pin 68A located in protrusions 68 of the ported cap 65. Rotational or pivotal movement of the torque key 140 around the pin 68A is limited by the protrusions 68 and by the close proximity of the torque key 140 with a bottom of the slot 67. The torque key 140 may also include a retaining screw 141 for preventing release of the torque key 140 from the cement head body 151. The cement head body 151 may include a cooperating slot or pocket 151C which may have a hole or recess 151D in a bottom surface for receiving and locking the retaining screw 141 in a locked position.

FIGS. 34A, 34B, and 34C show section views of the cement head 150 and the torque key 140 in accordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosure. As shown in detail, the retaining screw 141 may be threaded to the torque key 140 at threads 141A, and may be include a lock washer 141B for preventing back-off of the retaining screw 141 during cementing operations. A retaining ring 141D may be installed on the retaining screw 141 and locked in place by a pin 141C. The retaining ring 141D secures the retaining screw 141 and the lock washer 141B to the torque key 140.

When the ported cap 65 is to be connected to the cement head body 151, the ported cap 65 is rotated relative to the cement head body 151 until the torque key 140 aligns with pocket 151C. In this position, the retaining screw 141 is in a first position (FIG. 34A) such that the retaining screw 141 will not impede sliding movement of the torque key 140 into the pocket 151C of the cement head body 151. The torque key 140 is then slid into the pocket 151C of the cement head body 151 (FIG. 34B), and the retaining screw 141 is tightened such that the retaining ring 141D and an end of the retaining screw 141 are located within the recess 151D in the pocket 151C (FIG. 34C). In FIG. 34C, the torque key 140 is in the locked position, and the ported cap 65 is rotationally locked with respect to the cement head body 151.

Although not shown, the torque key 140 may include a biasing device to assist with movement of the torque key 140 into the locked or latched position and/or to automatically move the torque key 140 to the locked/latched position shown in FIG. 34C.

FIGS. 35 to 40 show section views of an exemplary embodiment of a cement head 210, in accordance with embodiments of the disclosure, that includes a cage 211 and a biasing assembly 270, as described below. In FIGS. 35 and 36, cage 211 is shown in an embodiment that includes cement head body 151. However, the cage 211 may be used in embodiments that include either cement head body 1, as disclosed herein, or any other compatible cement head body. Cement head 210 may also include a cap 265, which operates in a manner similar to that of ported cap 65, or may be used with any compatible cap or cap assembly, such as the cap 6 and lid 7 disclosed herein.

Cage 211 may operate in a manner that is similar to that of cage 11 and/or cage 111. For example, as shown in FIG. 35, cage 211 may initially be located in the first/running position with the flapper 211D fixed or held in a lateral position by the plug launching mechanism 15. In the running position, cement slurry enters the cement head 210 through the cap 265, flows around the cage 211, and flows through the cement head body 151. When a cement plug 101 is to be launched or released, the plug launching mechanism 15 is actuated to retract the release pin 17 (FIG. 36), as described above. The flapper 211D is then allowed to pivot downward to the released position, and the cage 211 slides downward along pins 108 to the second/released position (FIG. 36).

In the second position, a cement flow path between the cage 211 and the cement head body 151 is blocked by a flange 211A of the cage 211, and cement slurry is redirected through an opening at the top of the cage 211. Cement then flows through the cage 211 and pushes the cement plug 101 (not shown) out of the cage 211 and through the cement head body 151. As described above, passage of the cement plug 101 through the cement head body 151 causes the tattle tale actuator 14B and the tattle tale indicator 14A to rotate, providing a visual indication to an operator that the cement plug 101 has been released.

In the disclosed embodiment, cage 211 may be configured to cooperate with an automatic lifting device, such as a biasing assembly 270, to automatically move the cage 211 from the second position (FIG. 36) to the first position, as shown in FIG. 37. The cap 265 may include a shoulder 269 that is configured to compress the biasing assembly 270. The biasing assembly 270, which may include a spring 275 and a positioning ring 276, for example, may be positioned between the cage 211 and the cement head body 151. Compression of the biasing assembly 270 by the shoulder 269 prevents interference between the biasing assembly 270 and cage 211 which allows the cage 211 to freely move between the running position (FIG. 35) and the released position (FIG. 36). In the running position, the flange 211A may be spaced from the biasing assembly 270, and in the released position, the flange 211A may rest on the positioning ring 276.

In FIG. 37, the cap 265 has been removed from the cement head body 151. The biasing assembly 270 is no longer compressed by the shoulder 269 and, thus, the spring 275 may expand. The biasing assembly 270 may be configured to support a weight of the cage 211 including the flapper 211D such that, upon expansion of the spring 275, the positioning ring 276 contacts the flange 211A and lifts the cage 211. The cage 211 may be lifted to a position at or slightly above the running position to permit actuation of the plug launching mechanism 15. The release pin 17 is extended and contacts the flapper 211D to rotate the flapper 211D to a lateral position, as shown in FIG. 38. In this position, a cement plug 101 (not shown) may be loaded into the cage 211.

FIG. 39 illustrates a rotated section view of the cement head 210 with the cage 211 in the position shown in FIG. 38. In this position, contact between the pin 108 and a bottom of the slot 211F limits upward movement of the cage 211 until the cap 265 may be reinstalled on the cement head body 151. FIG. 40 shows the cap 265 being lowered onto the cement head body 151. The shoulder 269 contacts the positioning ring 276 and compresses the spring 275 as the cap 265 is lowered. The position of the cage 211 is maintained by the flapper 211D as the biasing assembly 270 is returned to the position shown in FIG. 35. The cement head 210 is now ready to be operated.

Disclosed embodiments of the cap 265 and the biasing assembly 270 are not intended to be limited to the embodiments described herein. Other arrangements that are configured to cooperate to automatically move the cage are considered to be within the scope of the disclosure. In addition, the cage 211 may be configured such that automatic movement of the cage 211 may occur with or without intervention of an operator. Further, the biasing assembly 270 may also include a sleeve or other device (not shown) that is positioned between the spring 275 and the cement slurry flow path to prevent clogging/sticking of the spring 275.

In an example implementation of an embodiment, the cap 6 and the casing adapter 9 are connected to the cement head body 1 by, for example, a stabbed, threaded, or other mechanical connection. The keys 40 are installed on and secured to the cement head body 1, the cap 6, and the casing adapter 9 to prevent relative rotation of the components. The cement head 100 is connected to a cement slurry source (not shown) and a work string (not shown). In the initial operating position, the cage is in the first, upward position, the plug launch indicator 10 is in a pre-launch position with an end of the tattle tale actuator 14B extended into the bore 1B of the cement head body 1, and the tattle tale indicator 14A is in a position that is adjacent the cement head body 1. In the first or initial operating position, the cement slurry 200 flows through the cap 6, is directed by the lid 7 through the ports 71, flows around an outside of the cage 11, and exits the casing adapter 9.

When the cement plug 101 is to be released, the release pin 17 is actuated and withdrawn from an extended position where the release pin 17 is in contact with the flapper 11D. The flapper 11D is released and swings downward, allowing the cage 11 to move freely. The cage 11 slides along the pins 8 which are located in the respective slots 11F to a second position where pins 8 are in contact with an upper surface of the respective slots 11F to hold the cage 11 in the second position.

In the second position, the expanded top end 11A of the cage 11 blocks and redirects flow of the cement slurry 200 through a central bore of the cage 11 where the cement plug 101 is located. Flow of the cement slurry 200 pushes the cement plug 101 downstream toward the casing adapter 9. As the cement plug 101 travels through the inner portion 11C of the cage 11, the cement plug 101 contacts and rotates the tattle tale actuator 14B such that the tattle tale body 12 also rotates. Rotation of the tattle tale body 12 causes the tattle tale indicator 14A to move from a position adjacent the cement head body 1, for example, within the groove 1A in the cement head body 1, to an extended launch indicated position which provides an operator a clear indication that the cement plug 101 has been released/launched. In some exemplary embodiments, a cage handle 111A or biasing assembly 270 may be used in conjunction with the cage to reposition the cage after the cement plug 101 has been launched.

The cement head of the present disclosure allows cement plugs to be launched while cement slurry is flowing and may be used with multiple cement plugs and various sized cement plugs, which may reduce the number of components required to be kept on hand. The disclosed cement head also does not require welded structural components or manifolds, which may increase safety, reliability, and lifespan of the cement head and may lower required inventory and inspection and repair costs.

Although the disclosure describes an exemplary embodiment of the cement head, the disclosure is not intended to limit the present invention to the disclosed embodiments and various modifications are considered to be within the scope of the disclosure. Conditional language, such as, “can,” “could,” “might,” or “may,” unless specifically stated otherwise, or otherwise understood within the context as used, is generally intended to convey that certain implementations could, but do not necessarily, include certain features and/or elements while other implementations may not. Thus, such conditional language generally is not intended to imply that features and/or elements are in any way required for one or more implementations or that one or more implementations necessarily include these features and/or elements. It is also intended that, unless expressly stated, the features and/or elements presented in certain implementations may be used in combination with other features and/or elements disclosed herein.

The specification and annexed drawings disclose examples embodiments of the present invention. The examples illustrate various features of the disclosure, but those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that many further combinations and permutations of the disclosed features are possible. Accordingly, various modifications may be made to the disclosure without departing from the scope or spirit thereof. Further, other embodiments may be apparent from the specification and annexed drawings, and practice of disclosed embodiments as presented herein. Examples disclosed in the specification and the annexed drawings should be considered, in all respects, as illustrative and not limiting. Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only, and not intended to the limit the present invention. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A cement head, comprising: a cap including an opening that receives a fluid; a cement head body connected to the cap; a cage located within the cement head body and configured to receive a plug; and a plug launch indicator, wherein the cage is configured to move between a first position and a second position.
 2. The cement head of claim 1, wherein, in the first position of the cage, the fluid follows a first flow path around an outside of the cage and, in the second position of the cage, the fluid follows a second flow path through an inside of the cage.
 3. The cement head of claim 1, further comprising a lid located within the cap that diverts the fluid flowing into the cap.
 4. The cement head of claim 1, wherein the plug launch indicator includes at least one sealing element at one end of the plug launch indicator and at least one sealing element at an opposite end of the plug launch indicator to pressure balance the plug launch indicator.
 5. The cement head of claim 4, wherein the at least one sealing element at the one end of the plug launch indicator and the at least one sealing element at the opposite end of the plug launch indicator are a same size.
 6. The cement head of claim 1, further comprising a casing adapter connected to the cement head body and configured to connect the cement head body to a work string.
 7. The cement head of claim 1, wherein the cement head body or the cap includes at least one key that locks relative rotation between the cement head body and the cap.
 8. The cement head of claim 1, wherein a lifting device is connected to the cage and configured to move the cage from the second position to the first position.
 9. The cement head of claim 8, wherein the lifting device includes a biasing assembly that automatically moves the cage from the second position to the first position.
 10. The cement head of claim 1, further comprising a downstream cement head body connected to a downstream end of the cement head body, wherein the downstream cement head body includes a downstream cage configured to receive an additional plug and configured to move between a first position of the downstream cage and a second position of the downstream cage.
 11. The cement head of claim 10, wherein the downstream cement head body includes a downstream plug launch indicator, the downstream plug launch indicator including at least one sealing element at one end of the downstream plug launch indicator and at least one sealing element at an opposite end of the downstream plug launch indicator to pressure balance the downstream plug launch indicator.
 12. The cement head of claim 11, wherein the at least one sealing element at the one end of the downstream plug launch indicator and the at least one sealing element at the opposite end of the downstream plug launch indicator are a same size.
 13. The cement head of claim 10, wherein a downstream cage lifting device is connected to the downstream cage and configured to move the downstream cage from the second position of the downstream cage to the first position of the downstream cage.
 14. A cement head, comprising: a cap including an opening that receives a fluid; a cement head body connected to the cap; a cage located within the cement head body and configured to receive a plug; and a plug launch indicator, wherein the plug launch indicator includes at least one sealing element at one end of the plug launch indicator and at least one sealing element at an opposite end of the plug launch indicator to pressure balance the plug launch indicator.
 15. The cement head of claim 14, wherein the at least one sealing element at the one end of the plug launch indicator and the at least one sealing element at the opposite end of the plug launch indicator are a same size.
 16. The cement head of claim 14, wherein the cage is configured to move between a first position and a second position.
 17. The cement head of claim 16, wherein, in the first position of the cage, the fluid follows a first flow path around an outside of the cage and, in the second position of the cage, the fluid follows a second flow path through an inside of the cage.
 18. The cement head of claim 16, wherein a lifting device is connected to the cage and configured to move the cage from the second position to the first position.
 19. The cement head of claim 18, wherein the lifting device includes a biasing assembly that automatically moves the cage from the second position to the first position.
 20. The cement head of claim 14, further comprising a lid located within the cap that diverts the fluid flowing into the cap.
 21. The cement head of claim 14, further comprising a casing adapter connected to the cement head body and configured to connect the cement head body to a work string.
 22. The cement head of claim 14, wherein the cement head body or the cap includes at least one key that locks relative rotation between the cement head body and the cap.
 23. The cement head of claim 14, further comprising a downstream cement head body connected to a downstream end of the cement head body, wherein the downstream cement head body includes a downstream plug launch indicator, the downstream plug launch indicator including at least one sealing element at one end of the downstream plug launch indicator and at least one sealing element at an opposite end of the downstream plug launch indicator to pressure balance the downstream plug launch indicator.
 24. The cement head of claim 23, wherein the downstream cement head body includes a downstream cage configured to receive an additional plug and configured to move between a first position of the downstream cage and a second position of the downstream cage.
 25. The cement head of claim 24, wherein a downstream cage lifting device is connected to the downstream cage and configured to move the downstream cage from the second position of the downstream cage to the first position of the downstream cage.
 26. A method of launching a plug from a cement head, the cement head including, a cap having an opening that receives a fluid, a cement head body connected to the cap, a cage located within the cement head body and configured to receive the plug, and a plug launch indicator, the method comprising: positioning the cage in an initial position within the cement head body; loading the plug into an internal bore of the cage; attaching the cap to the cement head body; pumping the fluid through the opening of the cap such that the fluid flows around an outside of the cage; and releasing the cage such that the cage moves from the initial position to a launch position, wherein, in the launch position, the fluid is redirected by the cage from flowing around the outside of the cage to flowing through the internal bore of the cage to push the plug out of the cage; wherein the fluid flowing through the internal bore of the cage launches the plug from the cage and into the cement head body; and wherein the plug moves through the cement head body and contacts the plug launch indicator to actuate the plug launch indicator.
 27. The method of claim 26, wherein the plug launch indicator includes at least one sealing element at one end of the plug launch indicator and at least one sealing element at an opposite end of the plug launch indicator to pressure balance the plug launch indicator.
 28. The method of claim 26, wherein the cap or the cement head body includes at least one key that locks relative rotation between the cement head body and the cap, and the attaching of the cap to the cement head body includes: aligning the key on one of the cap or the cement head body with a key pocket on another of the cap and the cement head body and inserting the key into the key pocket.
 29. The method of claim 26, further comprising operating a lifting device that is connected to the cage to move the cage from the launch position to the initial position.
 30. The method of claim 26, further comprising removing the cap to move the cage from the launch position to the initial position.
 31. The method of claim 30, wherein a lifting device that includes a biasing assembly automatically moves the cage from the launch position to the initial position when the cap is removed.
 32. The method of claim 26, wherein the cement head further includes a downstream cement head body connected to a downstream end of the cement head body, the downstream cement head body including a downstream cage and a downstream plug launch indicator, and wherein the downstream cage is configured to receive an additional plug and configured to move between an initial position of the downstream cage and a launch position of the downstream cage.
 33. The method of claim 32, the method further comprising positioning the downstream cage in the initial position of the downstream cage; loading the additional plug into an internal bore of the downstream cage; attaching the downstream cement head body to the cement head body; pumping the fluid through the opening of the cap such that the fluid flows around an outside of the cage and an outside of the downstream cage; and prior to releasing the cage, releasing the downstream cage such that the downstream cage moves from the initial position of the downstream cage to the launch position of the downstream cage to redirect fluid from flowing around the outside of the downstream cage to flowing through the internal bore of the downstream cage to push the additional plug out of the downstream cage, wherein the additional plug moves through the downstream cement head body and contacts the downstream plug launch indicator to actuate the downstream plug launch indicator. 